GOLF
Korda secures Lotte lead
Nelly Korda on Wednesday recorded nine birdies in a bogey-free nine-under 63 for a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Lotte Championship at Ko Olina Golf Club in Hawaii. Ji Eun-hee birdied six of her final eight holes for an eight-under 64, while defending champion Brooke Henderson and Choi Hye-jin, playing on a sponsor exemption, were two shots back. Australia’s Hannah Green, who holed out for eagle from just inside 100 yards on the third hole, was tied for fifth on six-under 66 with South Korean Ryu So-yeon. A big group on 67 included 2016 Lotte champ Minjee Lee, Chun In-gee, Thai sisters Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn, and rookies Suzuka Yamaguchi and Lilia Vu. Ko Jin-young, the new No. 1 after winning two of her past three starts, finished at 69. Taiwan’s Chien Pei-yun carded a two-under 70 for a share of 38th, Hsu Wei-ling ended tied for 97th on one-over 73 and Yani Tseng languished to a nine-over 81 to finish 144th.
OLYMPICS
Tokyo debuts tickets portal
Tokyo 2020 organizers yesterday launched a portal detailing prices and timings for Olympic events as they prepare to throw open ticket applications via lottery for Japanese residents. The new Web site lists prices for the record 339 events in 33 sports — ranging from the cheapest general tickets at ¥2,500 (US$22.34) to an eye-watering ¥300,000 for the best seats at the opening ceremony. Those lucky enough to score the best seats for the showcase men’s 100m final will pay ¥130,000. However, half of all tickets will be priced at ¥8,000 or less, organizers said, adding that special tickets priced at ¥2,020 are available for families residing in Japan with children, senior citizens or people with impairments. However, the Web site is currently for planning purposes only, as the ticket lottery for Japanese residents runs from May 9 to May 28. Overseas fans would be able to snap up tickets from June 15 via special “authorized ticket resellers” in each country.
SOCCER
Lazio win keeps hopes alive
SS Lazio on Wednesday kept their UEFA Champions League ambitions alive thanks to a routine 2-0 Serie A win over Udinese. Simone Inzaghi’s seventh-placed side ended a three-game winless run to move three points behind fourth-placed AC Milan, who occupy the final Champions League place. Leaders Juventus are almost certain to win their eighth title in a row, while second-placed SSC Napoli are well-placed to take second, seven ahead of Inter, who are in turn five ahead of their city rivals. However, behind the top three the battle is tight, with AS Roma a point behind AC Milan in fifth followed by Atalanta BC, Lazio and even Torino — who are five points adrift — still in the running for elite European soccer with six games to play. Ecuador forward Filipe Caicedo put Lazio ahead after 21 minutes, with the ball bouncing off the post and into the net for his fifth goal of the season. Lazio doubled their lead three minutes later when Brazilian midfielder Sandro clumsily turned a Sergej Milinkovic-Savic header into this own goal. Udinese’s Argentine playmaker Rodrigo de Paul missed a penalty after the break as the side from northeastern Italy sit just three points off the drop zone.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely